I enjoyed learning more about Montreal and the plight of the Inuit people. Like many major metropolitan areas, Montreal has a significant homeless population. I can't imagine living on the streets, especially during a brutal Canadian winter. I wanted to love this book, but sadly, I never felt invested in it. The subplots didn't work; they were like separate novels that never came together at the end. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of the audiobook.

It's winter in Montreal and that brings even more danger to the lives of the homeless. When a young woman's body is found in a highway tunnel, the first thought was that she had been hit by a car and indeed that happened. But she would have survived that accident if the person who found her had not been a murderer who then killed her by kneeling on her chest and suffocating her. The woman had no identification but in her pockets are found two items that might help identify her. One is a picture of her with a woman and the other is the business card of Detective Inspector Romeo Leduc.

Leduc doesn't know the woman and has no idea how she came to have his card. He is busy with his own cases and this one is out of his jurisdiction. But he soon comes to suspect that a killer is stalking the homeless, especially those with dogs, suffocating them and taking their animals. He attempts to be involved in the case which spans several jurisdictions but he also has other things going on in his life. His daughter is involved with a guy the detective doesn't like or trust. His oldest friend wants him to help find his sister who disappeared several years before. Most importantly, his romantic partner, Marie Russell, wants the couple to take the next step forward in their relationship and live together. As the cases mount, can Leduc find the killer?

I listened to this novel, read by the author. Many think that authors are the worst readers of their work as the job requires specialized talents but I thought Lambert did an excellent job with the narration. It is evident that the areas she had written to be stressed were and her voice was a great one to listen to for extended times.

This is the second novel in the series. Leduc and Russell are an interesting couple; she is 61,he is 51. Russell is a college professor who used to be a marine biologist and is no shrinking violet. She is determined that they will move forward but on her terms, in her house out in the rural country. Although the couple seems to work, I found Marie to be demanding and ungiving in her expectations. I liked Leduc much more but she provided him background to several issues that impacted his cases. There were several alternate storylines going on in the novel such as sexual harassment/rape of a young woman in the workplace and a female entrepreneur who hides her crimes thinking it is for the greater good of female empowerment. Overall, some of these miscellaneous threads could have been edited out to make a tighter story but I enjoyed the mystery. This book is recommended for mystery and dog lovers.

An excellent follow up to the first book (in what I hope is a long running series) THE BIRDS THAT STAY. The unusual duo of police detective and university professor again tackle crime that involve female assault and the homeless on the streets of Montreal. Highly recommended and hoping for book #3!

Was provided with the audio book in error, and read the ebook from another source.

This story had me from the start. I was invested in the character and relationship development. The setting contributed immensely to the story and reflected real Quebec social realities. I liked this so much I went back and read the previous book in the series and look forward to the next one.

Great for fans of Louise Penny who don't mind their police officer protagonists a little grittier.

Excellent second installment to the Russell and LeDuc series. Well-written - interesting characters - love that it addresses timely social issues - # me too, homelessness, and racial inequality. It is character driven - loved the authentic mix of French and English in the audio version - narrated by Ann Lambert herself. Her lyrical and expressive audio enhances the nuance of the novel. I did find that I was having some trouble keeping the many characters straight - I believe the print version would of helped me with this issue. I did enjoy learning about all the characters. I was introduced to the Inuit population in Montreal and their struggles of which I was not familiar. Lambert does an excellent job in addressing social issues - and gives us opportunities to reflect on these issues. I will continue to follow this author.

Thank you to Ann Lambert and the publisher for allowing me to read The Dogs of Winter in audiobook form. It accompanied me on many walks.
This book is part mystery, part activist writing, part a plea for human and animal rights as well as a love story.
There is a Book 1 in this series but I haven't read it--Yet. I found this book very compelling and plan to go back and read the first one.
Ann Lambert is a Canadian based playwright and now an author. The story revolves around a professor at Dawson College, Marie, and her detective inspective boyfriend, Romeo. There is a trend today to have as many threads going as possible and then do your damndest to pull them all together by the end of the book. This book is no different. So the reader has to absolutely let go and just enjoy and not try and figure out who belongs to who or you will get a tremendous headache. There is Marie's life from Marie's point of view, the relationship from both Marie and Romeo's point of view. There is the killer, There is a rapist, There are many homeless people, three of whom are dead halfway through the book. There is the Inuit nation represented by many of the homeless, some students in Marie's classes,and social workers. Ms. Lambert's vast knowledge of how they live and eat is a fascinating part of this book.
There is Romeo's daughter, Sophie, whose young life is not headed in a very healthy direction. There are the Quebec police, most who can't be bothered to do anything about "those homeless Inuit" and a few that see the light before the end of the book. And there is Romeo's first love, Helene, whose handwritten note with Romeo's phone number, is found in the pocket of one of the dead homeless.
Ms Lambert herself narrated her own book. For the most part, she did a great job. The one weakness for me was that no matter who was speaking if they uttered a surprise or question, they all sounded the same.
But in the end, it didn't make any difference. I appreciate how hard it is to read an entire book out loud for an unknown audience. The reading flowed, I never lost track of who was speaking even if I wasn't sure what thread of all the mysteries I was in.
I enjoyed this book, wish Felicitations to Romeo and Marie and am looking forward to #3 (after I read #1)

I LOVED the continuation of this series! I listened to the Birds that Stay earlier this year and was happy to be able to listen and review The Dogs of Winter now. I really enjoyed seeing the progression of the relationship between Marie and Detective Inspector Romeo Leduc! I live in Ontario and really had no idea of the history of Montreal police and Inuit. I found the political history thrown in was incredibly eye opening. For me, I really felt I learned more about Canadian history listening to this book on top of getting the usual crime + love stories I enjoy in books like this. I'm really looking forward to continuing the series!

Dogs of Winter is a dark, swirling vortex of crime and social indifference in Montreal Canada. I little to nothing about Canada, including where Montreal is, but I was only a little lost for the beginning then there was enough information to keep up.

It's a heavy book, and I don't mean the weight. This novel exposes different obstacles for policing, caring for the homeless, and systemic racial injustices between the city and indigenous Inuits nearby. Whew! It's eye opening and has enough relational conflict/resolution to make it still heartwarming at times and approachable.

The book is well written, especially since there's a ton of characters to follow. The audio is very well narrated! She did so good with the many accents. And the narrator is the author!!! Super cool!

Thank you NetGalley, Second Story Press, ECW Audio for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

Dogs of Winter is the second book in the Russell and LeDuc series. A young woman’s body is found by the side of the road. Initially assumed to be the victim of a hit and run, LeDuc realizes she was actually murdered. And then another homeless person also becomes a victim. As so often happens, the crimes against the homeless are not actively pursued until Romeo begins to investigate. There is also a subplot about a young woman molested by a rich, white man with a Jeffrey Epstein feel to it.
I initially found the book confusing as we are introduced to a wide range of characters and it’s not easy to see how everything and one is connected. But it all gelled in my mind by about the 25% completion. We learn much more about Marie and Romeo’s histories in this book, and see how they grapple with whether to take their relationship to the next level by moving in together. Lambert rounds out her story with in-depth information on the Inuits and whales. Some may see this as a distraction from the murder mystery, but I really appreciated feeling like I was learning something.
The ending concerning the murders felt a little out of left field, but overall this was an interesting police procedural.
Ann Lambert narrates her own book and does an excellent job.
My thanks to netgalley and ECW Audio for an advance copy of this book.

I was a huge fan of the first book in this series, The Birds That Stay, so naturally the sequel was a must-read for me! I was lucky enough to listen to The Dogs of Winter as an audiobook and it was simply great.

It is a suspenseful thriller set in Montreal, which is awesome in itself for someone like me who usually reads US fiction. It can totally be read as a standalone, but there's a good amount of continuity to keep the reader invested in the characters; here, too, we follow the two detectives. The case at hand is a serial killer - we are introduced to three victims. What is unique here is the fact that the serial killer is preying on the vulnerable, often homeless people. There's a lot to be discussed in the areas of race (native Canadians), status, wealth and poverty and Me Too. In this sense, the novel is as deep and serious as it is entertaining.

The setting and atmosphere were super gripping as I listened to the story in the middle of a really mellow winter; totally different from Montreal's snowy blizzards and cold weather.

This book was a breath of fresh air for a huge fan of the mystery genre in general - and I especially enjoyed the fact that I listened to the story, which was expertly narrated.

*Thank you to the Publisher for a free advance copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

I listened to the audio book version, with the author herself narrating. Fantastic job! This is an excellent second installment in the Russell and LeDuc mystery series. Our main protagonists are working together to solve the murder of a young First Nations woman, who was the apparent victim of a hit and run during a white out Montreal blizzard.

This is an excellent series. Well written, with interesting characters and timey addressed social issues, in this case, #MeToo, along with homelessness and racial inequality towards First Nations women. A fantastic read, I definitely recommend.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5.
Thanks to NetGalley and ECW Press Audio for a copy of this book in return for an honest review. Its author, Ann Lambert, narrated it. Her voice was enthralling and enhanced this well-written, character-driven plot.

Two of my favourite fictional detectives are in crime thrillers based in Montreal, and I believe Detective Romeo Leduc of the SQ will soon be joining their esteemed company. I had not been aware of this series and purchased the previous book, 'The Birds That Stay' when only partly through this audiobook. I will miss the frigid cold and snowstorms in Montreal this winter. I have been going to Montreal each winter season to visit family. Due to COVID lockdowns, I will be content to think about the vividly described sites, blizzards, and its fine restaurants through this atmospheric writing.

A deranged serial killer is on the streets of Montreal, preying on the marginalized and homeless. We are introduced to three of the victims, but there are probably more. Romeo Leduc is on the case as the murdered people do not seem to be a priority with the Montreal City Police. They are mainly ignored due to their race or poverty. The motive for the killings is shocking and unusual, and not one I had anticipated.

The plot is fast-paced, and it cleverly juggles many characters. These people are so well developed, distinct and memorable that there is no confusion or effort in keeping them straight. My only criticism would be that when the serial killer was revealed, he was not as well known to the readers as most of the characters. There were a few possible suspects and red herrings along the way. We do learn the killer's motive and his horrendous background late in the book.

Romeo's romantic interest, Marie, is a teacher and a strong, intriguing character. She is troubled by the rape of her most promising student. The book draws attention to the plight of Inuit women who are the victims of predatory males. Although the book focuses on destitute native and homeless people on Montreal's streets, we are introduced to a wealthy TV producer who hosts parties in his lavish mansion. Separate threads are drawn together near the satisfying conclusion, with some of the major characters are in danger of freezing and injury. I hope there will be the third book in this excellent series.

Great story. This book took on a topic regarding the Inuit community. It discusses how they are continuing to be miss treated and misunderstood was woven into the story of who is murdering the homeless Inuits in Montreal. A great addition to this series.

A great story with believable characters. Very entertaining and will hook you in from the first minute. Highly recommended! Very fun story